Nest of Vipers (9781101613283) Read Online Free

promised Felicity that he wouldn’t leave her alone again.
    â€œIt’s a mighty tempting offer, Blaine, but I can’t leave my ranch right now. I just bought these cattle and have a lot to do, matching my cows with this Bramer bull and those cows with my Hereford bull. I got to find new pasture and build fences and grow hay for the winter. I have a lot of responsibility.”
    â€œI know that, Brad, and so does Harry. All I’m asking is that you come to Denver and talk to us. Harry is willing to pay for your time. You’d stay only a day or so and if you turn us down, you can come back and tend to your ranch with money in your pocket.”
    â€œWhy do they want to hire me?” Julio asked.
    â€œIt’s a big job. Fact is, Harry thinks it’s going to take three of us to track down these horse thieves and shut them down.”
    â€œThree?” Brad asked.
    â€œYou, Julio, and me,” Joe said.
    Brad was struck dumb. For several seconds he was speechless.
    â€œHarry’s been drinking too much peach cordial,” Brad said finally. “I work alone. He knows that.”
    â€œNot on this case. It’s too big.”
    â€œHow big?” Brad asked.
    â€œThese thieves aren’t just stealing one or two or three horses. They’re cleaning out entire stables.”
    â€œYou check with the U.S. Army?” Brad asked. “They buy horses.”
    â€œThose horses aren’t going to the military,” Joe said.
    â€œWhere, then?”
    Blaine shrugged. “We don’t know. That’s why Harry is making this offer. Five hundred apiece for you and Julio, just to listen to him for five minutes in Denver.”
    â€œI will go there, Brad,” Julio said. “That is a lot of money.”
    â€œIt is a lot of money,” Brad agreed. “But it’s money that stinks to high heaven. I know how persuasive Harry is, and I just don’t want to do any more detective work for him.”
    â€œI will do any kind of work for five hundred dollars,” Julio said.
    â€œIt has to be both you and Brad,” Blaine said. “Look, gents, I’m not just the messenger here. I have a stake in finding these horse thieves. I had a dozen of my best horses stolen out of my stables. Fine horses. Horses I can’t replace.”
    â€œThat may be so,” Brad said. “But I don’t have a stake in this. I’m a cowman. That’s it.”
    â€œDo you own horses?” Blaine dropped his hand but held on to the money.
    â€œA few. Enough for a remuda once we make our first trail drive up to Salina.”
    â€œIf you have horses, then you’re a target for these thieves.”
    â€œI doubt it,” Brad said. “Look, Joe, I appreciate Harry’s offer, but I’m turning it down. Julio and I are going to drive these Bramers up to the ranch and get to work breeding new stock. I wish you luck. Tell Harry I said howdy.”
    Blaine stuffed the bills back in his shirt pocket. It appeared to Brad that he had given up and was accepting the fact that he and Julio would not go to Denver to see Pendergast.
    â€œAll right,” Blaine said. “I won’t push you no more, Brad. Mind if I ride back to your ranch with you? I’d like to see your spread, maybe take a look at your horses.”
    Brad was taken aback by the offer.
    â€œYou’re wasting your time. I’m not going to change my mind.”
    â€œI know. I promise I won’t bring up the subject again. I’d just like to ride up with you and get to know you better.”
    Brad felt a worm of suspicion begin to crawl through his brain. But he shrugged and looked at Julio.
    â€œI reckon you can ride up with us. Ain’t much to see, but we can put you up and feed you.”
    â€œGood,” Blaine said. “I’m tired of hardtack and jerky. It’ll be a pleasure to meet your missus.”
    Brad looked at Julio again.
    â€œI guess we can